ICE shoots Venezuelan DoorDash driver in Austin, bullet remains lodged as he is detained
Source: CBS News · All CBS News reports
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Summary
The CBS segment reported on the Sept. 20, 2026 shooting of 28-year-old Venezuelan Wilber Rafael Garces Perez in North Austin. It covered his attorney's press conference alleging he was sideswiped by an unmarked ICE vehicle while delivering for DoorDash, did not know they were agents, was shot in the back without justification, received minimal hospital care, and was transferred to the South Texas ICE Processing Center in Pearsall with the bullet still lodged, no pain medication, and forced to sleep on the floor. Perez spoke by phone denying a foot chase and complaining of pain. Correspondent Nicole Krupa detailed the sequence, bullet holes in his Toyota Corolla, multiple shots fired, the unusual HSI-led federal investigation with FBI assistance, and parallel local probes by Austin PD and Travis County.
Editorial Assessment
The broadcast accurately conveyed the attorney's account, Perez's statements, and official confirmation of the shooting, hospitalization, and transfer, corroborated by videos showing the scene and audio of sirens. Viewers received a detailed look at disputes over the foot chase (attorney cites video; officials describe vehicle pursuit and possible physical altercation after a stop for a deportation order discovered via plate check). However, framing leaned toward skepticism of federal actions, omitting early reporting that agents identified themselves before he fled, and treating his parole/asylum entry as resolving his status despite the confirmed final removal order. The critique of HSI investigating its own agency reflects a documented policy shift under the current administration, raising legitimate questions about independence, but local officials' demands for cooperation were presented without noting historical challenges in state probes of federal agents. Overall, it risks skewing perception toward viewing the incident as unprovoked aggression rather than a use-of-force event during an arrest attempt on someone with a removal order; full bodycam or dashcam footage, once released, will be critical.
Key Moments
Perez entered lawfully through a probation program seeking asylum and has a valid work permit
Attorney's account; multiple sources confirm parole entry and pending asylum but also a final order of removal, which overrides and subjects him to deportation.
ICE vehicle sideswiped him without identifying as law enforcement, leading to a chase and shooting in the back with no foot pursuit
Perez/attorney version supported by some bystander video; NYT sources and DPS say agents identified themselves during a plate-check traffic stop, he fled, short vehicle chase followed, with possible foot pursuit or altercation.
Perez received no medical attention at hospital, bullet not removed, no pain medication, slept on floor at detention center
Directly from attorney's press conference and Perez's phone comments; DHS has stated he is stable but has not disputed treatment details.
HSI is leading the federal investigation into the ICE officer shooting, which is unusual as it means DHS investigating itself
CBS's own prior reporting confirms this policy shift under the Trump administration; historically FBI led such probes.
Perez is a critical witness who should not be removed during the ongoing investigation
LULAC and local officials including Reps. Casar and Doggett have made this demand; he remains detained pending removal.
Notable Concerns
- One-sided reliance on defense attorney and local Democrats without equal airtime for ICE/DHS operational details
- Incomplete context on Perez's immigration status and the plate-check encounter that preceded the stop
- Early emphasis on 'no foot chase' before full investigation details emerge
Sources Consulted
- ICE Agents Encountered Austin Man by Chance Before Shooting Him
- Migrant wounded by ICE in Austin is in custody with no pain medication, his lawyer says
- ICE officer shoots Venezuelan man delivering food in Austin, lawyer says
- FBI agents told to stand down on assault probes involving ICE officers; DOJ denies policy shift
- ICE's Homeland Security Investigations branch leading probe into fatal shooting of Alex Pretti
- Austin ICE shooting: Wilber Rafael Garces Perez 'did not deserve to be shot,' attorney says
- Activists push to stop deportation after Austin ICE shooting
- ICE agent shoots and wounds Venezuelan man at traffic stop in Austin, Texas